History of Fairtrade

1988

Launch of the first Fairtrade label, Max Havelaar, under the initiative of the Dutch development agency Solidaridad. The first Fairtrade coffee from Mexico was sold into Dutch supermarkets. It was branded Max Havelaar, after a fictional Dutch character who opposed the exploitation of coffee pickers in Dutch colonies.

Late ‘80s/early ‘90s

The Max Havelaar initiative is replicated in several other markets across Europe and North America: Max Havelaar (in Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and France), Transfair (in Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, Italy, the United States, Canada and Japan), Fairtrade Mark in the UK and Ireland, Rättvisemärkt in Sweden, and Reilu Kauppa in Finland.

1997

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) was established in Bonn, Germany to unite the labelling initiatives under one umbrella and harmonize worldwide standards and certification.

2002

Fairtrade International launches the international FAIRTRADE Certification Mark. The goals of the launch were to improve the visibility of the Mark on supermarket shelves, facilitate cross border trade and simplify export procedures for both producers and exporters. Producer representatives join the FLO Board of Directors

2004

Fairtrade International splits into two independent organizations: FLO, which sets Fairtrade standards and provides producer support, and FLO-CERT, which inspects and certifies producer organizations and audits traders.

2007

Fairtrade International is recognised by ISEAL as one of seven organizations that have reached the highest standards for defining ethical trade.  Global sales increased by 47 percent. Producers become full members/co-owners of FLO.